Summary

Flory leaves Kyauktada early the next morning, departing for his work assignment, which he has ignored for an alarming period of time. In his absence, Ellis and Mrs. Lackersteen gossip about him and tell many lies about his character. Elizabeth overhears many of these conversations and quickly comes to believe that Flory is a cad. She receives a letter from him, which professes his love, but declines to answer it. Flory busies himself with work. The Lackersteens wait for Verrall to call on the club to meet Elizabeth, but after several days he has not appeared. They take the snub poorly. In fact, Verrall is not wealthy and is heavily in debt. He moves from assignment to assignment to escape paying his debts, and he holds nearly everything and everyone in utter contempt. Aside from a fine horse, certain forms of athleticism, and a transient dalliance with a...